Breakdown of Das Erlebnis war damals ein großes Wagnis.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
groß
big / tall
damals
back then
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
das Erlebnis
the experience (event, adventure)
das Wagnis
the venture
Questions & Answers about Das Erlebnis war damals ein großes Wagnis.
Both Erlebnis and Wagnis end in -nis. Are all nouns ending in -nis neuter?
Most nouns ending in -nis are neuter, like das Erlebnis (the experience) and das Wagnis (the venture or risk). However, a significant minority are feminine, such as die Erlaubnis (the permission) or die Erkenntnis (the realization). There are no masculine nouns ending in this suffix.
How do I form the plural of Erlebnis and Wagnis?
Why does the adjective take the -es ending in ein großes Wagnis?
The phrase is in the nominative case, acting as the subject complement after the verb war (was). Because Wagnis is a neuter noun and follows the indefinite article ein (which doesn't show the gender itself), the adjective groß has to step up and take the strong neuter ending -es.
Does Erlebnis mean the same thing as Erfahrung?
While both can translate to experience in English, they mean different things. Das Erlebnis refers to a specific, memorable event you lived through, which fits perfectly here with a great venture. Die Erfahrung refers to the accumulated knowledge, skills, or wisdom you gain over time, like professional experience.
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